Dhaka, May 12: In Bangladesh, approximately 200 lawyers affiliated with the Awami League have been banned from participating in the Bar Association elections, which have faced restrictions since January. Local media reported this information based on sources within the ‘Lawyers Association.’
Despite efforts by several lawyers to run as independent candidates, reports indicate they were obstructed from obtaining or submitting nomination papers. The Bar Association has also canceled numerous nominations.
According to the prominent Bangladeshi newspaper ‘The Daily Star,’ amidst these restrictions on Awami League-affiliated lawyers, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has decided to hold a two-day election starting Wednesday.
Recently, the SCBA rejected 42 out of 90 nominations for the elections scheduled for May 13-14, citing alleged links to the Awami League.
Legal experts and human rights activists argue that excluding Awami League-affiliated lawyers from the Bar Association elections undermines democratic principles and contravenes constitutional provisions regarding the association’s independence. Supreme Court lawyer Manzil Murshid stated that nominations were canceled not only for Awami League supporters but also for lawyers associated with a 14-party alliance and some independent candidates.
Murshid emphasized, “This issue is no longer confined to a political party; it raises significant concerns about the declining levels of democracy within professional bodies.”
Condemning the restrictions, another Supreme Court lawyer, Sara Hussain, remarked, “The right to contest elections in professional bodies is directly linked to the rights of association and freedom of expression.”
Additionally, stressing the importance of professional values over political identity, Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir stated, “We must all strive for professional excellence. A free and fair environment is essential for participatory elections.”
Local media reported that last week, several Awami League-affiliated lawyers accused lawyers from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of creating obstacles when they attempted to collect nomination papers for the Chattogram District Bar Association (CDBA) elections scheduled for May 21. They claimed there were deliberate disruptions, including physical confrontations.
This incident occurred on May 4 at the entrance of the Bar Library when a group of lawyers, led by presidential candidate Abdur Rashid of the Awami League, attempted to collect nomination forms under the banner of the ‘Common AINJIBI Council.’
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